40 Dining Room Decorating Styles

Vintage chic

Scandinavian style inspired gray-painted wood floors in this Chicago-area house. The homeowner upholstered a mix of chairs with vintage grain sacks—easy to do with a staple gun. A vintage shutter leans against the wall.

Antiques show

Cottage chic

A casual cottage look always embraces the great outdoors. Make the most of views and natural light by minimizing window treatments--even dare to go bare where privacy isn't a concern. Supplement the organic mood with wood and other natural materials--in flooring and furniture. Highlight texture, too, with accents such as neatly woven rattan, like on the backs of these chairs.

Rustic elegance

A welcoming warm palette of taupes and grays steers dinner parties in a relaxed direction in the dining room of this Michigan home. A twig chandelier adds rustic elegance above a farm table dressed up with side chairs in a whitewash finish. Grass-cloth wallpaper brings texture.

Show and store

Elegant white ironstone and other vintage dishes act like art in the dining room of this Nebraska farmhouse. Modern dining chairs contrast a salvaged bench and a farm table made by the homeowner. A tight color palette pulls the styles together.

Flea-market find

Lake houses and Old Glory go together like kids and vacation. The flag in the dining room of this Michigan lake home was a $10 flea-market find. The homeowner framed it with stained 1x4s held together with corner brackets—a vintage-style touch to relax a new home’s perfect sheen.

Vintage fun

The dining area echoes the playful, repurposed spirit in the rest of this Minnesota home. A red tool caddy on top of a salvaged cheese-crate side table serves as a beverage bar during gatherings. Large casters elevate an antique farm table to counter height and make it easy to move. A metal laundry pail filled with flowers tops the table.

Constant comfort

Modern aesthetic

The straight lines of the Parsons-style table and leather chairs complement the angular simplicity of this room in a Wisconsin home. A linear contemporary glass light fixture is a unique interpretation of a traditional crystal chandelier.

Dining with collections

Dramatic color works well in this Ohio dining room made for entertaining. Playful conversation starters include world globes spilling out of the fireplace and a collection of vintage light bulbs. A boat prow "bar" and contemporary chairs complete the eclectic mix.

Bright and rustic

Sunlight floods this dining room through 7-foot doors and windows with transoms. When the weather is nice, the French doors open to a deck, bringing the outdoors in. The rough wood support beams on the ceiling and walls complement the rustic decor.

Ecofriendly space

Environmentally friendly elements feel right at home in this sunny dining space. The natural twig chandeliers have LED light bulbs; the table top is cement flanking a tree slice; walls sport zero-VOC paint; and the chairs wear organic upholstery.

Mix and match

Lakeside casual

An X-base table reminiscent of an old picnic table, surrounded by simple country-style chairs, invites casual family meals in this lakeside home's dining room. A striped rug, boat oars and local folk art add to the down-home feel.

Open dining

This compact dining area in a Chicago home links the living area and the kitchen. The round table takes up less space than a rectangular one, and cream-color chairs with curved backs also keep the space feeling airy. An oversize barrel light fixture adds contemporary style.

Playful gathering

Designed to be flexible for a family with small kids and teenagers, this circular table offers a variety of seating options: a curved banquette sofa, two armchairs and benches. Mix and match fabrics in playful patterns and colors punch up the style and mask wear and tear.

Abstract aspect

A large abstract painting brings all the color and pattern needed to define this modern dining space. A built-in wall-to-wall cabinet buffet makes it easy to serve a crowd. A stone table top and simple leather chairs enhance the sophisticated feel.

Informal flexibility

This dining area next to a kitchen accommodates quick breakfasts, snacks or company for dinner. Built-in cabinetry provides storage as well as an area for a flat-screen TV. Two wicker chairs offer seating for everyday meals, while a banquette love seat goes to work when company arrives.

Simple elegance

Muted colors and a touch of antiqued silver give this dining room its classy vibe. While the colors are understated, the mix of chair styles, finishes and tasteful accents gives the room elegant style.

Multicultural mix

Bringing the outdoors in

A casual, glass-wrapped eating space makes the most of this house's natural surroundings and lake view. A vintage pine table, surrounded by rattan chairs, feels right at home with the scenery. A spherelike chandelier adds a touch of sophistication.

Modern city style

In this condominium dining room, bases on contemporary molded-plastic chairs subtly repeat the X-base wood table. A stark white-and-brown color scheme has a definite city/urban feel. The pass-through to the kitchen, with a serving buffet underneath, offers flexibility for entertaining.